CMFRI taps into tourism to promote marine conservation, sustainable travel
Kochi, July 17
Kerala's famed beaches and backwaters are poised to offer visitors more than breathtaking scenery. Tourists will soon have the opportunity to discover the state's rich marine biodiversity, fragile coastal ecosystems and traditional fishing heritage, as the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute trains tourist guides to become ambassadors of marine conservation.
The first of its kind initiative in Kerala seeks to harness tourism as a powerful force for environmental awareness and sustainable travel.
CMFRI Director, Dr. Grinson George, said the initiative represents an innovative community engagement model that brings science and tourism together for a common cause.
"Tourist guides interact with thousands of visitors every year and are ideally placed to communicate the importance of conserving our marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable fisheries.
By empowering them with scientific knowledge, we are extending the reach of marine conservation messages far beyond conventional awareness programmes," he said.
Twenty four government certified tourist guides have successfully completed an intensive training programme designed to equip them with scientific knowledge on Kerala's coastal ecosystems and marine wealth.
The initiative, an extension of CMFRI's popular Fish Walk outreach programme launched last year, aims to transform tourist guides into effective communicators of conservation, enabling them to share scientific insights with the thousands of domestic and international visitors they interact with every year.
The programme reflects a growing recognition that tourism can play a vital role in protecting natural ecosystems when visitors are encouraged to understand and appreciate the environments they explore.
The participants received course completion certificates from Kochi Mayor V.K. Minimol at a function organised to mark the 98th Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
The training covered Kerala's diverse coastal and marine ecosystems, including beaches, estuaries, mangroves, backwaters, rocky reefs, the open sea and deep-sea habitats.
Participants were also introduced to the state's rich marine biodiversity, traditional and modern fisheries, mariculture practices and the contribution of the marine sector to Kerala's economy, enabling them to answer visitors' questions with scientific accuracy.
To complement classroom sessions, the guides undertook field visits to Chellanam Fishing Harbour, Puthethodu Beach, Kottapuram fish cage farms and the Panambukad mangroves, gaining firsthand experience of coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture practices.
By placing scientific knowledge in the hands of those who introduce Kerala to the world, CMFRI hopes every guided tour along the state's coast will become an opportunity not only to showcase its natural beauty, but also to inspire its protection.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from Kerala, I love seeing this focus on marine conservation. But I hope the training also covers how tourists can avoid disturbing nesting turtles or damaging corals. We have such rich biodiversity here, but some visitors unknowingly harm it. Let's make this sustainable! 🌊🐢
Great concept, but I hope they also involve local fishermen in this program. They are the real experts on the sea and have been practicing sustainable fishing for generations. CMFRI should make this a community-driven effort, not just top-down from scientists.
Finally some smart thinking! I've taken tourists to Kottapuram fish cage farms and they were amazed. Imagine if the guide could explain how mariculture works and why it's important. This could really boost eco-tourism in Kerala. Just ensure the guides are paid well for this extra knowledge!
Wonderful initiative! Coming from Australia, we've had similar programs for the Great Barrier Reef and they really help tourists appreciate what they're seeing. I visited Kerala last year and the backwaters were stunning. Educated guides would have made the trip even more meaningful. Hope other states follow CMFRI's lead!
This is exactly what sustainable tourism should look like. Too often, tourism development harms the very environment people come to see. Training 24 guides is a good start, but I hope CMFRI scales this up—maybe partner with Kerala Tourism Development Corporation to reach thousands of guides across the state. 🐟
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